What Is a House Flipper? A Guide for Home Sellers

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Selling your home is often a complex and emotional process. It involves many decisions, such as how to price your property, whether to make repairs or upgrades, and which selling method to use. If your home is in need of significant repairs, or if you need to sell quickly for personal reasons, the traditional route may not be your best or most feasible option. That’s when you might consider an alternative solution: selling to a house flipper.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term or unsure about what it entails, don’t worry — this guide is designed to help homeowners like you understand the ins and outs of this real estate strategy. We’ll explore the world of house flipping and provide the information you need to make the best decision for your situation.

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What is a house flipper?

A house flipper is a real estate investor or company that purchases properties often below market value, particularly ones that need repairs or improvements. These homes are then renovated and resold for a profit, essentially turning undervalued properties into desirable residences.

As top Connecticut real estate agent Ed Villeda, who has 24 years of experience, puts it, “Flippers look for homes that they can add value to, such as homes in disrepair or smaller homes that can be added to. Usually, [these properties] are described as ‘handyman specials,’ ‘fixer-uppers,’ or ‘TLC’ homes.” Through this process, house flippers aim to strike a balance between their investment in purchase and renovation costs and the potential profit from the resale.

How does house flipping work?

House flipping is a strategy that hinges on the practice of buying properties at a lower cost, often due to the need for repairs or refurbishments, and reselling them at a higher price after renovations. Villeda emphasizes one of the core aspects of this approach, saying, “Someone that is not willing or unable to do repairs or clean up the home, most flippers will take the home ‘as is’ and actually prefer it.”

Though it might sound straightforward, house flipping involves detailed knowledge of property values, renovation cost management, and real estate market trends. The process also varies greatly based on factors like market conditions and the amount of renovation required.


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